Keenan-Reuben murder case: All 4 accused get life term

All four accused in the Keenan-Reuben murder case were pronounced guilty of murder by Mumbai sessions court on Thursday. The court has sentenced them to life in jail.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said the court has held them guilty under Section 302 as well as Section 354 of the IPC.

"We prayed today that all the accused be sentenced for life imprisonment and court has awarded the same," he added.

Valerian Santos, the father of Keenan, expresses his delight with the court's verdict and said the battle is not yet over, adding he is ready to fight it until final justice is done.

"I am very happy after a lot of pain as it's almost five years and the court has given a verdict which I wanted, which we wanted. I know the journey is still not over. They will appeal to the higher court that is their right, we have nothing to say in that. Let them go to the higher court, let them go to the highest court and even if they go in front of the god, I will stand in front of god and appeal and ask for justice for my son. I will keep the fight going," Valerian told the media here.

"I am happy with the life time imprisonment as they should live every moment and think about Kenan and Reuben, they should live every moment the way we are going to live our whole lives," he added.

Keenan Santos, 24, and Reuben Fernandez, 29, were repeatedly stabbed outside an eatery at Mumbai's Amboli on 20 October, 2011, when they tried to protect their women friends from a group of men. The accused tried to molest the girls and were opposed by Keenan and Reuben.Keenan succumbed to his injuries on the same day, while Reuben died 10 days later, on 31 October.

The four accused, Jitendra Rana, Sunil Bodh, Satish Dulhaj and Dipak Tival, were arrested a day after the incident took place and a fast-track court had in October 2012 framed charges against them for murder, conspiracy and molestation.